Bessie’s hosted up-and-coming artist, Tom Gossin’s celebratory CD release party downtown Tuesday. Gossin’s first solo album entitled, Rendezvous, features 12 tracks, all of which he wrote and recorded himself at the Cape Fear Studio with the help of Frank Jernigan of Masonboro Sound Records, who produced the first time out effort.

Gossin, a native of New York, has relocated to Wilmington to begin his solo career. If Rendezvous is any indication of Gossin’s talent, Wilmington should call itself proud to have such a promising artist calling the Port City home.

Featured in romantic and refreshing ballads, Gossin’s haunting but soothing voice sounds eerily reminiscent to Edwain McCain’s. Many have even compared him to Van Morrison. A wide array of instruments complement Gossin’s vocals, including saxophone in “Left to Lose” and string instruments in “The Promise.”

A self-taught guitarist, who considers his sound “pop music without restriction,” Gossin’s talents are not restricted to the guitar. Beginning study of classical piano at age 5 and subsequently jazz piano at age 10, Gossin counts among his musical influences Phish, Coldplay and Radiohead. Uniquely defined in his personal sound, tracks such as “Part of Me” set Gossin apart from his idols.

While some of the first tracks of Rendezvous run a little toward the melancholy and some songs tend toward the monotonous, Gossin redeems himself on the more upbeat title track. Lyrics such as “cause it gets me high, just like when I’m alone with you” enthusiastically promote the more romantic themes of the album.

Gossin’s first album clearly showing a talent for songwriting and performing, Rendezvous just glimpses his promising future. Tom Gossin’s career can only go up from here.